I
shan't bother you. And I'll make you happy."
"No," she said firmly. "You mustn't ask it. I'll tell you why. I have
thought of marrying you regardless of this. Only last night I thought of
it--finally, went over the whole thing. Listen, Teddy--if I were married to
you--and if he should come--and he would come sooner or later--if he should
come and say 'Come with me,'--I'd go--yes, I'm sure I'd go. I can't explain
why. But I know that nothing would stand in the way--nothing."
"You ought to be ashamed of yourself." Marian shrank from him. She was
horrified by the malignant fury that sparkled in his eyes and raged in his
voice. "That damned scoundrel is worthy of you and you of him. But I'll get
you yet. I never was crossed in anything in my life and I'll not be beaten
here."
"And I thought you were my friend!" Marian was looking at him, pale, her
eyes wide with amazement. "Is it really you?"
He laughed insolently. "Yes--you'll see. And he'll see. I'll crush him as
if he were an egg shell. And as for you--you perjurer--you liar!"
He looked at her with coarse contempt, rose and stalked away. Marian sat
rigid. She was conscious of the insult. But even that humiliation was not
so strong in her mind as the astounding revelation of Danvers.
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